Happy birthday Caithness Beach Cleans
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The volunteer group that has been out and about the Caithness coastline clearing it from plastic pollution and other debris celebrates its second birthday this month.
Dorcas Sinclair from Dunnet started the group with her husband Allan on March 3, 2019, and soon after recorded their first amount as 29.5lbs – the total to date is now over 24 metric tons.
"Since then the group has grown to nearly 800 members, not all active, but we have a good hardcore group which is expanding to cover more of the county," said Dorcas.
She said that lockdown limited the work of the group known as Caithness Beach Cleans (CBC) as members could not travel more than five miles from home due to Covid restrictions.
"Some people who live on the beaches and take their dogs out for walks were able to continue but for us it was a no no."
In its first year the group collected 13.34 metric tons and now, at the start of its third year, CBC has collected over 24 metric tons of plastic from local beaches.
Dorcas said: "We are supported locally by various businesses including Mackay’s Hotel in Wick who provided us with hi-vis waistcoats, Caithness Creels gave us gloves and Caithness Livestock Breeders who supplied us with litter pickers and gloves.
"Various others including some council wards have given money which has also supplied litter pickers and scales. The local people have also supported us admirably by buying from our Pop Up shop which raised a lot of money."
The beach cleaners now fund themselves by making "found” rope doormats and wheelie bin closers.
"Big discussions were underway at one point to see if we wanted to be a constituted group so that we could apply for funding but it was decided by the majority that we wanted to stay as we were – an informal group where nothing was organised."
If any big projects are to be done CBC will work with the Caithness Ranger Service and fall under its insurance clauses it has been decided.
You can help with the group be visiting its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/2561533860586878/
